Hard to Shift Gears on my Conquest

[JKL05ultra]

Hello!!

This is my first post since joining a few weeks back. I recently purchased a 2001 Conquest and am in the process of replacing a couple of bad bearings. Had outer one busted on the right hand idler shaft so I placed new bearings and flanges on it this weekend. Also had a busted outer bearing and outer flange on the front mid-axle on the same side. Had to order another bearing and inner flange for it today so I hope to get it back in shape this coming weekend.

Now for my other problem......it will not shift gears while the engine is running. It shifts very smoothly when I turn it off. I checked the operation of the clutches with the firewall removed and engine running and the secondary clutch on the transmission spins even with the engine idled as low as it will go. It appears that the primary clutch is keeping too much tension on the belt causing it to spin the secondary clutch.

Rock Doctor, any suggestions on what I need to look for or what I need to adjust and how to do it?

Thanks for the help!

JKL

[chapy]

Thats a common thing with argo's. At an idol I have to shift into reverse first and then quickly into low or high. You can also pull your choke out untill it almost stalls and shift it into gear. Hope this helps.

[Rock Doctor]

Thats a common thing with argo's. At an idol I have to shift into reverse first and then quickly into low or high. You can also pull your choke out untill it almost stalls and shift it into gear. Hope this helps.

What he said......exactly.

I have also increased the tension on the Primary Clutch Spring, which seems to help this a bit. The reason your belt is spinning at an idle is a combination of friction between the belt against the Primary Clutch Shaft, AND, possibly a weakened Primary Spring alowing the clutch to close just a bit onto the belt.

Another problem could be engine idle, generally, you want it as low as possible.

Lastly, Argo's like to be "Shifted" with authority, when you shift a firm hand helps.

How are you "Busting" your bearings and flanges. I have done it myself, but it's not common.


RD

[JKL05ultra]

Thanks for the replies Chapy and R.D.

R.D., I don't know how the previous owner managed to bust the bearings. I suspect the idler shaft bearing was due to lack of maintenance (i.e., grease).

I don't know if the outer flange was busted due to the inner bearing coming apart or if the outer seal allowed water to get in the grease chamber. If the water got in the grease chamber of the flange (again.. due to lack of grease) it could have frozen and busted the outer flange. Either way I think all of the problems were caused by lack of proper maintenance.

It was purchased new in January of 2001 so I think it is a late 2000 model. I am the 3rd owner. It has 208 hours on it. It has been used primarily in muddy swamps in Mississippi for deer and duck hunting. It is in very good shape except for these 2 bearing issues, which I knew about before I purchased it.

By the way, I am in located in Central Alabama so snow is seldom an issue (we received 5" on March 1st which is the most in several years). I am planning to try it out in our local swampy areas this year and see how it performs. Will decide then if I need to invest in tracks?

Thanks for your help. I'm going to tune my clutches per some of your previous posts and see if that helps with my shifting.....the previous owner just turned the engine off to shift.....I think that method may shorten the life of the starter?

JKL

[Roger S]

Use the key, but turn it back on before it dies.

[8wheel]

Roger S is right.

We are getting good at it.